Railroad-spike



JfFfPORSYTH.

RAILROAD SPIKE.

Patented Apr. 14, 1.896.

NITED ST TES .ATENT FFICE.

JOHN F. FORSYTH, OF BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA.

RAILROAD-SPIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,169, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed August 28, 1895. Serial No. 560,725. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. FORsYTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county of Monroe and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Spikes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to improvements in railroad-spikes, having for its object to provide a spike for securing railroad-rails to the ties said spike being provided with means whereby loosening of the spike in its seat is prevented.

The invention consists of a spike, made of iron or steel, having a head thereon which is adapted to bear against the upper surface of the flange of the rail, said spike being chamfered longitudinally parallel to one side, forming a shoulder beneath the head of the spike, and a tongue cut away or recessed along its upper edge, forming thereby a heel and toe thereon. The spike is driven in place along the edge of the flange of the rail in the usual manner, and afterward the tongue is forced laterally beneath the rail, forming a lock between said rail and said spike.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional view through one of the ties, showing myimproved. spike applied to the rail. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the spike before it is driven into the tie. Fig. 3 is an edge View of the same. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form. Fig. 5 is an edge view of Fig.

.4 with a portion broken away.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the various views.

1 represents one of the railroad-ties, and 2 the rail secured in place by the spike 3. The spike is made out of iron or steel and is formed with an overhanging ledge or head 4 and is chainfered longitudinally, as shown at 5, parallel to one side of the spike, thereby forming a shoulder 6 beneath the head at, which shoulder is rounded along its rear edge, as shown at '7. By this chainfer the tongue 8 is also formed, which is recessed or cut away along its upper edge, as shown at 9, thereby forming a toe 10 and heel 11. In using my improved locking-spike for securing the rail to the tie the same is driven into the tie 1, along the edge of the flange of the rail 2, down to a point to where the toe 10 projects just beneath the flange of the rail. A lateral blow is then imparted to the heel 11, which bends the tongue 8 over until the toe 10 projects beneath the flange of the rail 2. When in this position the rail is securely fastened to the tie, and displacement of the spike is prevented.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown one of such modified forms. In this form the tongue 8 is constructed separately from the spike proper, its upper edge being similar in form to the tongue shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and itslower end formed in the shape of a cam, as seen at 14:, the tongue being provided with a projection or stud 15, which is mounted for movement in an opening or depression in the spike proper, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. In

using this form the spike is driven into the tie until the offset therein is reached, and then the tongue is placed in position, the ball or projection thereof resting in the socket in the spike. The spike is then driven down until the head thereof securely clasps the flange of the rail. The tongueis then struck a blow with a hammer, driving the upper end thereof under the flange of the rail, and the sharp point at the terminus of the cam on the lower end thereof is thus forced into the tie, thereby preventing the pulling out of the tongue, and consequently of the spike.

Having now described my invention, what ing a shoulder with a rounded rear edge beneath the head, and a tongue which is recessed or cut away along its upper edge and is adapted to be sprung laterally, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, a railroad-spike having a cut-away portion, and a tongue arranged therein, with its upper end formed with a grooved recess and a IO projecting heel said tongue being adapted to be driven laterally, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OIIN F. FORSYTII.

Witnesses:

JAMEs XV. JAoKsoN, JOHN MARTIN. 

